Everything on a Waffle is the story of a young girl named Primrose who lives in a small Canadian coastal town. Her parents go missing (at sea!) and shEverything on a Waffle is the story of a young girl named Primrose who lives in a small Canadian coastal town. Her parents go missing (at sea!) and she ends up living with her uncle Jack. She also frequents a local diner where everything is served on a waffle. Though I wouldn't say this story hinges on food, there's a recipe at the end of every chapter, which is fun if you're into cooking.

I was not super into the reader of the audio book. In fact, I have a hard time concentrating on audio books in general, even though I have no problem following radio programs. I don't understand why that is, but the long and short of it is I probably would've liked this more if I'd read it. ...more

I read this book like ten times when I was in middle school. The suspense! The high seas! The adventure! Getting all up in Charlotte Doyle's life alwaI read this book like ten times when I was in middle school. The suspense! The high seas! The adventure! Getting all up in Charlotte Doyle's life always helped me get out of my own. Whatever problems I had with soccer or school seemed small compared to being accused of murder by an evil sea captain. Charlotte's story helped me take the long-view, to the see the big picture, to get some perspective on life. I love that there's no romance in this book at all. Sadly, many of the books I read as a kid lead me to believe that true love is the end-all and be-all of life. At the end of Charlotte's journey, she just wants to get out of her corset and into some comfy clothes. Amen, sister.

In fact, I think Charlotte Doyle is one of the great inspirational characters in children's literature. She transforms from a snobby, scared sheep-girl into a strong, brave, sailor-woman. She stops letting other people dictate her life to her and takes control. You can almost feel her spirit uncoiling as you read. It's breathtaking. It's transporting. It's awesome.

Wow. It took me a long time to listen to this whole book, so my impression of it is a little fragmented. First off, it's about a girl (12 or 13 yearsWow. It took me a long time to listen to this whole book, so my impression of it is a little fragmented. First off, it's about a girl (12 or 13 years old) named Nhamo (which means "disaster") who lives in a remote village in Mozambique. She's kind of a Cinderella character because her mother is dead and she lives with her aunt who makes her do all the hard work (but she's not as miserable as Cinderella). The story is told in the third person, but Nhamo's POV is definitely primary.

Nhamo's tribe is Shona, so we learn quite a lot about the Shona religion (and Farmer gives us an appendix with more info as well). As Nhamo embarks on a dangerous journey, she relies more and more on her beliefs to give her strength.

The story takes place in the 1980s, so towards the end of the book there is a conflict between modern, Western religion and Nhamo's native religion. We also learn a little about the conflicts between the native Africans of Zimbabwe and the white settlers/invaders.

A lot of Nhamo's story is about surviving alone in the wilderness, a little like Island of the Blue Dolphins. Nhamo tells a lot of great stories passed down from her grandmother. She deals with the absence of her parents. She celebrates her victories by making up songs that are like, "I am Nhamo! I am the best!" It's hard not to love her for being so clever and so brave.

And the audio book was amazing. The reader did wonderful accents, and really gave each character a life, especially Crocodile Guts, Dr. van Heerden, and Ambuya....more

It took me a long time to finally get around to reading this book! I liked it, but it was not what I expected.

First, I had this impression that it woIt took me a long time to finally get around to reading this book! I liked it, but it was not what I expected.

First, I had this impression that it would be funnier and warmer, but it was very angsty. A book like this could easily be in the teen section of the library as well as the children's.

Second, Katherine (Catherine? I listened to the audio book) had a more interesting relationship with Jason, a boy around her age with cerebral palsy, than with her brother David who has autism. Jason can't speak and communicates by pointing at word cards. Katherine decides to make him more word cards, which was a great literary device and really contributed a lot to the theme of coping with disabilities. Still, I expected the book to be more about Katherine's relationship with her brother, and I was surprised that it wasn't the main focus and didn't change a lot through the course of the book.

Last, the audiobook narrator was, I think, the same actor who does the voice of Clementine. It made me think Catherine was so young! The narrator did a fine job (I wouldn't say she STINKS A BIG ONE), but it wasn't ideal for me because I've listened to several of the Clementine books.

An amazing audio book! So funny! So charming! So shocking! Lowry manages to satirize "old fashioned" stories while simultaneously capitalizing on allAn amazing audio book! So funny! So charming! So shocking! Lowry manages to satirize "old fashioned" stories while simultaneously capitalizing on all the strengths of the old fashioned story. I love classics, I love comedy, I loved this. ...more

I'm not a big fan of audio books in general, which is weird because I love listening to stories on the radio. I suppose the difference is that when itI'm not a big fan of audio books in general, which is weird because I love listening to stories on the radio. I suppose the difference is that when it comes to books, the experience isn't improved by bringing a third party interpreter into the picture.

Still, this was a good audio book. Great overall voice quality (rich, soothing, etc.), decent characterization (except that he gave all the females a kind of whine that sort of rubbed me the wrong way), and the book lent itself well to being told aloud (it wasn't too complicated or anything).

The book itself was okay, too. Not the most enthralling thing ever, but good for people who are interested in love, beauty, and myths. I liked how Lester made "the story" itself a kind of character in the book, too.

Just one more ridiculous thing: I have a strong preference for Greek god names over Roman ones, so that bothered me a little, too. I don't know where I picked this prejudice up, but I was surprised by the depth of my feelings on the subject....more

So so good. I was listening to the audiobook of this, but I got antsy and compulsively bought the book for my ereader when I was on disc 15 of 18. YesSo so good. I was listening to the audiobook of this, but I got antsy and compulsively bought the book for my ereader when I was on disc 15 of 18. Yes, this book is so good I spent $13 just to read the last bit ASAP. I was spending far too much time in my car after I got home because I couldn't stop listening.

So, one of the things I love most in literature is the unreliable narrator (see my reviews of Kazuo Ishiguro). There's something about that device that's so intriguing to me. Detective Rob Ryan is the kind of narrator who talks directly to the reader, who says openly that he lies, who clearly wants you to like him and see things from his POV even though he realizes that he's kind of an asshole. You spend so much of the book trying to figure him out--and especially trying to figure out what's really going on behind his believable but somehow fishy descriptions of people and events. This is the kind of trick that can't really be pulled off realistically in any medium other than literature. I love it.

And, not to brag, but I will say I figured out the Katy Devlin case way before it was revealed. ...more

I first heard about this book when I was in library school. A middle school librarian was defending her choice to have it in her school library's collI first heard about this book when I was in library school. A middle school librarian was defending her choice to have it in her school library's collection. I remember she said there was some sexual language in it, but the writing and themes were so great that she still thought it was a good book to recommend to 7th and 8th graders.

Now, I'm not going to contradict her and say this isn't okay for the middle school set. But I'm going to say I vastly underestimated how much sex talk would be in this book. I expected maybe one sexual scene, but there are many of them and they are graphic: masturbating midgets, descriptions of pornographic comics, a striptease scene with some crazy boob action, and I'm only on the third CD!

Now that I've finished the book, I can say that the sexy talk doesn't let up. Also, it's a pretty good story, but I wouldn't especially recommend it. ...more

Katherine Kellgren, I love you! K.K. has to be the greatest audio book narrator ever. Her accents are just right, the portrayals of the various characKatherine Kellgren, I love you! K.K. has to be the greatest audio book narrator ever. Her accents are just right, the portrayals of the various characters are specific and memorable, and the sweet tones of her melodious voice charm the ear. After listening to quite a few of the books she has narrated, I'm ready to officially crown her Queen of the Audio Book.

So, about Bloody Jack. I loved it even though it was way, way darker and more mature than I anticipated. There's gruesome death, attempted rape, more gruesome death, murder, attempted murder, and lots of sexual situations. And yet it still manages to seem full of fun. I don't quite know who to recommend it to because it seems a little young for teens, but it's probably too much for most kids under 12. So I suppose its ideal reader is 13 or so and a fan of adventure. ...more

A nearly perfect book for an 11- to 14-year old girl. A little romance, a little adventure, a lot of finding yourself stuff. Set in the real world, buA nearly perfect book for an 11- to 14-year old girl. A little romance, a little adventure, a lot of finding yourself stuff. Set in the real world, but driven by the mysterious and magical abilities of the main characters. Truthfully, I thought it was a little cheesy, but sure as sure as sure, most young readers won't mind.

The audiobook reader wasn't my favorite. I loved the voice she used for Lester (with his stutter and his lack of confidence), but most of the other characters either sounded generic or annoying. ...more

A decent, but not great, audiobook. The story itself is already precious enough and the narrator somehow made it even more precious.

So I find myselfA decent, but not great, audiobook. The story itself is already precious enough and the narrator somehow made it even more precious.

So I find myself at odds again with the National Book Award judges. I was recently underwhelmed by Flesh and Blood So Cheap and I was similarly underwhelmed by the Penderwick sisters and Jeffrey. It's a nice well-written book, and they're nice, well-written characters, but none of it thrilled me.

Also, in what year is it supposed to take place? Jane asks Mr. Penderwick if she can type up her story on his computer, but that's the only clue that this tale is happening in the modern world. The language and tone of the book certainly suggest an earlier time.

Maybe my job at a fairly rowdy public library, where it's not uncommon to hear and see young children saying and doing very un-Penderwick-like things, has jaded me--but I did not wistfully sigh at the sweetness and simplicity of this book. I rolled my eyes. Still, I appreciate why some people love it, and I didn't dislike it so much as I was disappointed by it. ...more

What a lovely audio book! Set in 1930s England, Ballet Shoes is the story of three girls adopted by Great Uncle Matthew, known as GUM for short. TheyWhat a lovely audio book! Set in 1930s England, Ballet Shoes is the story of three girls adopted by Great Uncle Matthew, known as GUM for short. They choose the surname Fossil because GUM collects fossils and he collected them. Pauline is destined to become an actress, Posey a ballerina, Petrova an airplane pilot. They grow up in a big house filled with boarders because the family needs the rent money for income. They all learn to act and dance so that they can work in the theater and earn extra money to get by.

So this is a story about surviving hard times (there are lots of scenes where they work out how to afford the things they need) and thriving in a non-traditional family setting (the three adopted girls are raised by a nanny, their guardian Sylvia, called "Garney," and the very kind boarders). I especially loved the brusque but always loving Nanny, who was wonderfully performed by the audio book reader. ...more

Much to the chagrin of Jeff, I can't stop doing a Boov voice. It's so funny. Give an Odyssey Award to that Boov voice! Done!

The True Meaning of SmekdaMuch to the chagrin of Jeff, I can't stop doing a Boov voice. It's so funny. Give an Odyssey Award to that Boov voice! Done!

The True Meaning of Smekday is a hilarious sci-fi adventure, an object lesson about the perils of intergalactic imperialism, a super great audiobook, and probably just a little bit too long. I mean, I liked it a lot, but I thought it could've (should've) been a smidge shorter.

I've read this twice now, once on my own and once with the audiobook (which is great and narrated by the author) to prepare for my young readers clubI've read this twice now, once on my own and once with the audiobook (which is great and narrated by the author) to prepare for my young readers club meeting. On a second reading, I understood better that this is a collection of stories about Bod's childhood and not a novel with a linear plot. I remembered lots of the characters, but I didn't remember why the man Jack was trying to kill Bod--and even on a second reading it's not totally clear. (view spoiler)[It seems that the Jacks of All Trades want to kill Bod because there's a prophecy about a boy growing up to destroy their order. Wow--this is so similar to Harry Potter. Additionally, the only reason why Bod grows up to destroy their order is precisely because they tried to kill him! Also just like Harry Potter! To quote Hamlet, "...there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so." (hide spoiler)]

I teared up at the end of this. The writing is wonderful and evocative and the characters jump off the page, particularly Bod and Silas. It wins for being both spooky and deeply emotional at the same time. And, as usual, Gaiman's great at creating fantasy worlds with their own rules.

Also, all of the seven kids in my book group liked this. Usually, they'll pick out certain things about books that they didn't enjoy, but they had only positive things to say about The Graveyard Book. Also, they often jump on the bandwagon and claim to have the same favorite part, but each kid had their own favorite chapter. One liked the Dreamwalking chapter. One liked the Danse Macabre. One liked the Ghoul Gate chapter. One liked the first chapter. One even liked the meeting of the Jacks of All Trades the best. My niece liked the chapter with Liza Hempstock the best. My favorite is chapter two where Bod is little and meets the Sleer and Scarlett.

Does anyone think Gaiman will continue the story? I still hold out hope that Gaiman may one day write about Bod's adventures traveling the world. ...more

Kathi Appelt has this style of writing where she repeats the same phrases over and over, almost like a chant or a theme in classical music. It can comKathi Appelt has this style of writing where she repeats the same phrases over and over, almost like a chant or a theme in classical music. It can come off beautifully, but at times I found it super annoying. (Her newest, Keeper, is written similarly.)

The Underneath was adored by critics, so I expected to like it. But I didn't really buy into it. I kept having this imaginary conversation with the author:

Me: Kathi, please stop repeating yourself and tell the dang story! KA: But I love the goldy sun and the Petite Tartine and sssssister!Me: Girl, you love repeating your favorite phrases too much. Try some new ones. Like maybe phrases that move the story forward.KA: But, I wrote a pretty good ending eventually. Loblolly pine! Long lists of different kinds of snakes! Long list of different kinds of trees! Stupid dog!Me: Sigh. KA: Do not provoke me. DO NOT.

So I'm not a big fan of Ms. Appelt's novels, though I think she can craft a nice turn of phrase. Maybe she'd be better off writing poetry or short stories. ...more

Very good audio book. I love Mamie Gummer (the reader) because she does an excellent job, and also because she's Meryl's daughter.

I have to say, thouVery good audio book. I love Mamie Gummer (the reader) because she does an excellent job, and also because she's Meryl's daughter.

I have to say, though, that Emma-Jean is pretty much a Vulcan, right? This is like Spock Goes to Seventh Grade. But Colleen isn't a Captain Kirk character to Emma-Jean's Spock. She's just a completely normal, very kind girl who really balances the story nicely. ...more

I listened to the audio book during my commute. It put me in a serene mood, which is exactly what I need on I-90 during rush hour, but it did strike mI listened to the audio book during my commute. It put me in a serene mood, which is exactly what I need on I-90 during rush hour, but it did strike me as a lot weirder than I remembered it being. Stuart is like a tiny, sensitive, middle-aged dandy. I love it when he acts as a substitute teacher, and when he takes charge of the schooner Wasp, but I'm annoyed by how prissy he is. Still, E.B. White is a truly lovely writer and that makes up for it. ...more

Winnie Foster, the ten-year-old protagonist of the story, contemplates eternity when she befriends the unique Tuck family. It's a short read, but BabbWinnie Foster, the ten-year-old protagonist of the story, contemplates eternity when she befriends the unique Tuck family. It's a short read, but Babbit sure packs a lot into it (mostly concerning one of Life's Big Questions: Would you want to live forever?). Beautifully written, with great fodder for future English majors (particularly the life-as-wheel motif).

And, despite all I've said about disliking audio books, this one was excellent. I got so into it that I took the CD inside with me when I got home so I could keep listening, even though I specifically got the audio book to keep me entertained during my commute. ...more

This story is narrated by a fifth grader named Nora who just wants to be treated like a regular kid, despite the fact that she is way beyond average.This story is narrated by a fifth grader named Nora who just wants to be treated like a regular kid, despite the fact that she is way beyond average. She decides to challenge her school's focus on grading and testing because she's concnerned about her best friend who is made to feel like he doesn't measure up.

I was not very into this. The audio book reader had a really high-pitched voice and I often felt like it wasn't going anywhere interesting. The subject of testing has been beaten to death from every possible angle, so at this point I'm only interested in hearing creative alternatives to grading and testing...and this book offers none. As with many of Clements' books, the emphasis is on questioning authority in a mature and responsible way. I would recommend it, even though it didn't do much for me.

Oh, and the adult hero of the book is the school librarian, which was cool. ...more

What an amazing audio book. The reader, Cherry Jones, really gave the book this life it wouldn't have had if I'd just read it. She did great, musicalWhat an amazing audio book. The reader, Cherry Jones, really gave the book this life it wouldn't have had if I'd just read it. She did great, musical southern accents. ...more

For the first time, I think I can say that I liked a book better because I listened to the audio version instead of reading it. The reader, Frank MullFor the first time, I think I can say that I liked a book better because I listened to the audio version instead of reading it. The reader, Frank Muller, was so so good. Every time he said "make meat" or "give death" I got shivers.

About the book itself: I can see how a lot of readers would not be so into it. There's zero humor and not much action. But if you're compelled by the craft of writing, this little book is riveting. The boy at the center of it (John, who I think was a teenager) doesn't look at the world the way most kids I know do. He's grave and takes his responsibilities to his family very seriously. His grandfather is terminally ill, so John has to go hunt deer alone in the Minnesota wilderness. He finds a doe, but then something strange happens. To describe the plot any further would make it sound ridiculous, I think. You just have to read it. ...more

Roald Dahl himself reads the audio book version of this and he is (duh) fantastic. It's just an hour long unabridged, which was a perfect there-and-baRoald Dahl himself reads the audio book version of this and he is (duh) fantastic. It's just an hour long unabridged, which was a perfect there-and-back commute length for me.

I love all of Roald Dahl's stories, especially for reluctant readers because they're so fun and a little edgy. Mr. Fox is no exception. It's a little shorter and little less inventive than some of his other books, but it's still great.

One small word of caution: if and when you share this with little ones, be prepared for them to ask you what "drunk" means. ...more

At the end of the audio book, Judy Blume confessed that this is her most autobiographical book, which explains why it felt so authentic, why the detaiAt the end of the audio book, Judy Blume confessed that this is her most autobiographical book, which explains why it felt so authentic, why the details really sang. Blume's Sally is a naive but very curious 5th grader who fantasizes about capturing Hitler (who, in her imagination, is her elderly neighbor in disguise). The story takes place in 1947-48. Sally's family moves from New Jersey to Florida for the winter because her older brother Douglas is recovering from a serious illness. The story doesn't really have much of a plot--I'd say it's carried by the characters who are all interesting and funny.

P.S. I have to admit that before I read this, I didn't know Judy Blume was Jewish, but it plays a big part in the story. ...more

It's a testament to the power of Katherine Paterson's writing that I cried at the end of the story despite how much I disliked the narrator. He did awIt's a testament to the power of Katherine Paterson's writing that I cried at the end of the story despite how much I disliked the narrator. He did awful voices for almost all the female characters.